Spike Renews ‘Ink Master’

Spike has inked an eighth season of its tattoo-competition series Ink Master, the network said Monday.

Spike in 2016 will begin filming 15 one-hour episodes as well as a live finale, said network officials. The recently completed season six of Ink Master generated a series record 2.4 million viewers.

Season seven of Ink Master debuts next spring and will feature returning show favorite contestants.

Ink Master delivered yet again a compelling and entertaining season packed with incredible artistic expression and creativity mixed in with big drama,” said Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, Original Series for Spike. “The record ratings are a testament to our partners at Original Media and our phenomenal hosting/judging trio of Dave Navarro, Oliver Peck, and Chris Nunez. We are thrilled to this great team back for Season 8.”  

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.